Å®ÓÅapp

Deborah Anna Brown, Associate Professor of History at Å®ÓÅapp, has always been driven by a passion for history and its global connections. Her dedication to internationalizing her teaching has led her to prestigious opportunities, including her selection as a 2024–2025 Fellow for the Stanford University Global Studies – EPIC Community College Faculty Fellowship Program and her participation in the Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad (GPA) Program.

Advancing Global Education at Stanford

The EPIC Fellowship is a platform for community college faculty to enrich their teaching through a global lens. Brown is part of a cohort that engages in intensive workshops, monthly seminars, and collaborative projects. This year-long program (August 2024 – May 2025) connects fellows with Stanford’s resources, such as the Rumsey Map Center and Poetic Media Lab, to create innovative curricular units and digital learning tools. Brown’s project focuses on African Knowledge Systems and Sankofa: Centering Africa in African American Studies, underscoring the intersection of history, culture, and resilience.

Through this fellowship, she will develop educational resources that bring global perspectives to her students and present her findings at an end-of-year symposium, showcasing the tangible impact of her work on her teaching and Å®ÓÅapp’s curriculum.

Building Cultural Bridges through Fulbright-Hays

In the summer of 2023, Brown participated in the Fulbright-Hays GPA Program, a highly selective initiative by the U.S. Department of Education. This experience, aimed at fostering internationalized teaching, offered her an opportunity to explore global perspectives deeply and integrate them into her classroom. Her involvement further solidified her commitment to creating meaningful educational experiences for her students.

A Champion for Social Justice and Study Abroad

Brown’s influence extends beyond the classroom. She has been pivotal in developing Å®ÓÅapp’s African history series (HIS-16 and HIS-17), part of the Social Justice Studies – African American Studies ADT, which she co-authored. While her selection as a faculty member for the Å®ÓÅappD study abroad program to Ghana was a highlight of her career, the program’s postponement hasn’t deterred her efforts to expose her students to international education opportunities.

Recognized for Excellence

Recently, Brown was also honored as an awardee for the Council of American Overseas Research Centers’ Overseas Faculty Development Seminar in Senegal. In January 2025, she will delve into West Africa and the Diaspora—Continuities and Transformations, collaborating with other distinguished faculty members to enhance the cultural and historical understanding she brings to her teaching.

Bringing It All Home

Deborah Anna Brown’s journey exemplifies how global experiences can transform teaching and learning. Her projects, programs, and curriculum development inspire her students to view history not just as a record of the past but as a bridge to understanding the present and shaping the future. Through her leadership, Å®ÓÅapp students gain access to world-class learning experiences, preparing them to become informed, empathetic global citizens.